Electrical signaling or calling system.



No. 727,704. r PATENTED MAY12, 19034 C. B. SMITH.

ELECTRICAL SIGNALING 0R CALLING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAE. a, 1900. nmuwnn 00122. 1902.

ODEL.

?ATENT Patented May 12, 1903.

OFFICE.

CHARLES E. SMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRICALISIGNALING OR CALLING SYSTSEM.

SPECIFICATION iorming part of Letters Patent No. 727,704, dated May 12,1903.

Application filed March 8, 1900. Renewed October 22,1902. Serial No.128,251. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York city, borough of Manhattan, State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Signaling orCalling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide'a signaling or calling systemwherein a comparatively large number of signaling or indicatinginstruments can be operated over a relatively small number of linesorcircuits; and in carrying out my invention I provide a conductor withone or more relays adapted to control the circuits of relays that areconnected with difierent conductors, and the lastnamed relays areadapted to control the circuits of signaling instruments associated withdifferent selector-lines, whereby when the circuit of thefirst-mentioned conductoris established its relay or relays willestablish the circuit of the second-named relays, and thereupon currentthrown on the conductor connected with the appropriate relay will causethat relay to close the circuits of the corresponding signalinginstruments, and when currentis thrown on the selector-line to which thedesired signaling instrumentis connected said instrument only will beoperated. I have shown myiinproved system as provided with a centralofiice, from which the various conductors and lines lead, and suitablecircuit-controlling devices are provided at central,where by current canbe thrown -on the different lines and conductors to enable the circuitfor the desired signalinginstrument to be readily established and saidinstrument operated.

I may enlarge the capacity of the selectorlines without undulyincreasingtheir number by utilizing two or more of the first-mentioned conductors,each provided-with arelay orrelays to control relays that are adapted toes.- tablish the circuits ofadditional signaling instruments associatedwith the said selectorlines, as will be more fully explainedhereinafter.

The invention also consists in the novel details of improvement thatwill be more fully hereinafter set forth'and then pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawing, which is a vices are located, and from thecentral office a conductor 1 leads, as to ground, for a suitable numberof subscribers or substations, which for convenience I denominate-asarranged in groupsor sets, as B C D, each group or set containing asuitable number of substations. as b b b in g'roupB, c cc in group G,and d d d in group Connected to line 1 are one or morerelays 2, adaptedto control the circuits of a plurality'of relays 3, there being one ormore of such relays 3 for each group or set of stations, as B O D, whichrelays are adapted to control the circuits of signaling or indicatinginstruments, as 4, at the substations. The circuit for the relay orrelays 3 of each group orset of stations, asB O D,

The relays 3 of the groups of stations B G D control the circuits ofthessignaling instruments of the substations in such groups, and

each substation of a group of stations is associated with aselector-line, as 8, 9, or 10, arranged. for all ,the stations, asignaling instrument in each group of stations being associated with thesame selector-linethat is to say, the stations I) c d of groups B C Dare associated with line 8, the stationsb. d d of said groups areassociated with line 9, and the stations b 0 cl of the same groups areassociated with line 10. I have'shown spurs .or branches leading fromthe lines 8 9 10 to the corresponding signaling orindicating in-Estrument 4, thefcontacts of which spurs or ing groups of stations B CD, and current will also be thrown on the conductor 5, 6, or 7associated with the group of stations embracing the desired station,whereupon such relay or relays 3 will close the circuits of thesubstations within such group. For instance, if a station in a group Bis to be called current will be thrown first on conductor 1 and then onconductor 5, and the relay or relays 3 of that group will establish thecircuits of the signaling instruments at stations I) b b The circuits ofthe signaling instruments of substations in a group of stations havingbeen thus established, current will be thrown on the line 8, 9, or 10connected with the signaling instrument of the stat-ion desired. Forinstance, it station I) is to be called current will be thrown on line8, and thus the signaling instrument 1 at that station will operate, butthe signaling instruments at stations 1) b will not operate, andlikewise if station I) or b were to be called current would be thrown online 9 or 10. If a station in any other group of stations were to becalled, as C or D, current would be thrown on conductor 6 or 7 insteadof 5 to operate the relay ot spur or branch 3 of group C or D toestablish the circuits of the signaling instruments in such group, andthereupon current will be thrown on line 8, 9, or 10 of the desiredstation in such group.

I have for convenience of illustration shown three stations in a groupand three groups of stations, all associated with conductor 1, therebeing three lines 8 9 10 for the three stations in a group. It will beunderstood, however, that the number of stations in a group can beincreased as much as desired, in which event there will be aselectorciated with conductor 1 are increased, the

number of conductors, as 5 6 7, with their re-' lays 3,will becorrespondingly increased -that is to say, there will be one suchconductor for each group of stations associated with conductor 1. Insuch cases the relay or relays of conductor 1 will control the circuitsof the relay or relays 3 of each group of stations, which in turncontrol the circuits of the signaling instruments of the stations insuch groups. If there are five stations in a group and three groups ofstations,I would employ five selector-lines, three conductors, as 5 6 7,and one conductor, as 1, making nine lines and conductors for fifteenstations. Likewise if there were five stations in a group and fivegroups of stations I would use five selector-lines, five conductors, as5 6 7, and one conductor, as 1, making eleven lines for twenty-fivestations. The number of stations in a group and the number of groups ofstations may only be limited by the convenience of establishing theline.

I can increase the capacity of the system by increasing the nu mber ofrelay-conductors,

as 1, and providing groups of stations for such conductors. Forinstance, I may provide a conductor 1", having one or more relays 2 andgroups of stations E F G associated therewith, and a conductor 1, havingone or more relays 2 and groups of stations H I J associated therewith,each station in such groups having a signaling or indicating instrumentassociated with the selector-lines 8910, as described with respect tothe groups of stations B O D, the circuits of the signaling instrumentsof each of such groups being controlled by relays 3 associated withconductors 5 6 7, as previously described, which relays 3 are controlledby the relays 2 2 in manner described with reference to the relays 2 ofconductor 1. In the arrangement shown there are three mainrelay-conductors 1 1 1, and there are three groups of stationsassociated with each of such conductors and three stations in eachgroup. It will be readily understood that with five selector-lines fiverelay-conductors, as 5 6 7, and five main conductors, as 1 1 1, onehundred and twentyfive stations can be accommodated, or fifteen linesand conductors. It will thus be seen that I may employ conductors orlines arranged in sets, as 1 1 1 and 5 6 7 and 8 9 10, there being oneor more electrically-operating devices associated with each conductor orline, and that thus the devices of one set of lines control the circuitsof the devices of another set, which in turn control the circuits of adifferent set, and thereby the circuit of a desired instrument, as 4:,can be established.

Instead of using a plurality of relays on either or all of theconductors 1 1 1 I may use a single relay that is adapted to operate thecontacts of the spur-lines 3 ot' the corresponding groups of stations,as shown in connection with line 1. The contacts connected with thespurs 3 are shown insulated from each other, but all operated from theone relay; but the efiect is the same as if a different relay were usedfor each spur 3. Likewise instead of using a plurality of relays for thespur or branch lines 3 I may use a single relay on either or all of suchbranches, adapted to operate the contacts of the circuits of thesignaling instruments of the corresponding group of stations, thecontacts of the'respective signaling-instrument circuits being insulatedfrom each other, as shown in connec tion with the group of stations J;but Whether one or more relays are used on such conductors or branchesis immaterial to the successful operation of my invention, provided aconductor, as 1. '1 1 has the proper relay or relays and contacts tocontrol the spurs or branches 3 of a plurality of groups of stations,and provided also that the relay or relays on the spurs or branches 3 ofa group or groups of stations operate contacts to esstablish thecircuits of the signaling instruments of the correspondingstationsinagroup, it being understood that the number of relays employedin such relations Will be in accord- IIO ance with the convenience inestablishing the circuits and the proximity. of different stations orgroups of stations to each other.

Any suitablemeans may be provided for throwing the appropriate currenton the lines and conductors. ment .at central A whereby by a simplemanipulation of a switch or-push-button current can be thrown on all thelines and conductors necessary to establish connection with and operatethe signaling instrument at the desired station. I have shown one ofsuch switches or push-buttons for each station, and they are arranged ingroups or sets with reference to the conductors 5 6 7 in accordance withthe number of stations in a group, as those stations are associated withsaid conductors. Such switches are also associated with the conductors1, l or 1 whose relay controls such groups of stations, and each switchis likewise associated with the selector-line 8, 9, or 10 that isconnected with the signaling instrument corresponding to the switch. Thearrangement I have shown for the purpose may be described as follows; 1112 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 are switches or push-buttons corresponding tothe stations associated with line 1, each switch corresponding to astation in the groups of stations B CD. The group of switches 11 12 13,that correspond to the stations in group B, have contacts 11 12 13*,

connected with conductor 5, the group of switches 14 15 16,corresponding to the, stations in group C, have similar contactsconnected with conductor 6, and the group of switches 17 18 19,corresponding to group D, have contacts connected with conductor 7.These switches also have contacts 11". 12*, &c., connected withconductor 1, and the switches 11 12 13, corresponding to group B, havecontacts 11 12 13, connected with selector-lines 8 9 10, respectively.The switches 14 15 16 of group C also have similar contacts, connected,respectively, with selectorlines 8 9 10, and switches 17 18 19 of groupD likewise have corresponding contacts, con-.

nected, respectively, with said lines. Each of these switches hascontacts which may be denominated generally as 20 21, the contacts 20being adapted to connect with the contacts of selector-lines 8 9 10 andthe contacts 21 being adapted to connect with the contacts connectedwith conductor 1 and conductors 5 6 7. As the groups of switchesassociated with lines 1 and 1 have contacts and connections with theother lines and conductors similar to those above described, it will notbe necessary to further explain them, as they will be clearly understoodfrom the drawing, it being noticed, however, that there is a push-buttonor switch connected with each conductor 1, 1", or 1 for each station ofthe different groups of stations associated with such conductors. Forconvenience I have shown the contacts 20 of the selector-lines 8 9 10 asconnected with a conductor 22, with which is associated a generator 23in well-known manner, and the I have shown an arrangecontacts 21 areconnected with a conductor 24, with which is connected a battery 25, andwhereby a single generator. and battery is adapted to provide currentfor the various lines; but of course the connections for throwingcurrent upon the lines may be otherwise arranged, if desired.

Suppose it is desired to call a station in group B, as station b. Switch11 will be operated, whereupon the circuits of the genera-.

the circuits of the spurs or branches 3* of the.

groups of stations B O D, andthereupon current will flowfrom battery 25by contact 11 to conductor 5, and thence to ground, operating the relayor relays 3 of the group of Sta-1 tions B only, and thus the othergroups of stations whose spur-lines 3 wereoperated by. the relay orrelays on conductor 1 have no current on their lines. 7 The relays fgroup B will thus establish the circuits of the signaling instruments ofall the stations in that group, and thereupon current will fiow fromgenerator 23 through contacts 20 and 11 over line 8 and will only findground at stationB,

thereupon operating the signaling instrument 4 thereat. No othersignaling instrument associated with line 8 will operate, because the.circuitsthereof that are controlled by conductors 5 6 7 have not beenoperated.

If a station in group C or D were desired, the corresponding switchwould be operated and current wouldbe thrown on line 6 or 7 to operatethe re-= lays 3 of the desired group of stations, andth'en current wouldflow over line 8 9 10, according! to which switch had been operated, tooperate 1 the desired signaling instrument. Likewise, if a station in agroup on. conductor 1 or 1 J were desired the corresponding push button.

or switch in the appropriate group of switches would be operated, andcurrent from battery .25 and generator 23 wouldoperate the relays andsignaling instrumentin the-manner hereinbefore out-lined with respect toline 1.

I do not limit my-invention to the particu-- lar arrangement indicatedand described, as

the same may be varied without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is .r20 1. Asignalingsystem comprisingaconducr.

tor having a relayor relays, a plurality ofcon-s ductors having relayswhose circuits are con-., trolled by the relay or relays of thefirst-men tioned conductor, a plurality of signaling instruments whosecircuits arev controlled by the relays of said plurality of conductors,and

a plurality of selector-lines associated with said signalinginstruments. 7 2. A signaling system comprising a conductor having oneor more relays a plurality of.

conductors to each of which one or more relays are connected, thecircuits for the last-l named conductors and-their relays beingcontrolled by the relay or relays of the first-mentioned conductor,aplurality of signaling instruments whose circuits are controlled by therelays of the pluralityof conductors, and a plurality of selector-linesassociated with said signalinginstruments,asignalinginstrument of eachselector-line being associated with the relay or relays of a conductorof the plurality of conductors.

A signalingsystem comprising a conductor having one or more relays, aplurality of conductors to each of Whicha spur or branch is connectedand adapted to be controlled by said relay or relays, said spurs orbranches each having one or more relays, a plurality of selector-linesand signaling instruments associated therewith, the circuits of saidsignaling instruments being controlled by the relays of thecorresponding spurs or branches.

4. A signaling system comprisinga conductor having one or more relays, aplurality of conductors to each of which a spur or branch is connectedand adapted to be controlled by said relay or relays, said spurs orbranches each having one or more relays, a plurality of selector-linesand signaling instruments, a group of signaling instruments associatedwith said selector-lines being associated with each conductor of saidplurality of conductors.

5. Asignalingsystem comprisinga conductor having one or more relays, aplurality of stations arranged in groups, each station having asignaling instrument, a conductor for each group of stations, whosecircuit is controlled by a relay of the first-mentioned conductor, aplurality of selector-lines, each selector-line being associated with astation in each group, each of said conductors of a group of stationshaving a relay or relays adapted to control the circuits of thesignaling instruments of the corresponding group of stations.

6. The combination of a plurality of relayconductors, a plurality ofstations arranged in groups associated with said conductors, a pluralityof conductors each associated with groups of stations,said plurality ofconductors each having one or more relays for the corresponding group ofstations, the circuits of such relays being controlled by the relays ofthe first-mentioned conductors, a signaling instrument in each station,the circuits of said instruments being controlled by the relays of saidplurality of conductors, and a plurality of selector-conductorsassociated with said signaling instruments.

7. The combination of a plurality of conductors each having one or morerelays, a plu rality of stations arranged in groups there beingaplurality of groups of stations for each of said conductors, a pluralityof conductors 5, 6, 7, corresponding to the number of groups of stationsconnected with either of the firstinentioned conductors, said pluralityof conductors each having one or more relays for the corresponding groupof stations, the circuit ot' the relayor relays of each of suchconductors being controlled by the relay or relays off the correspondingfirst-mentioned conductor, a signaling instrument in each station, aplurality of selector-conductors associated with signaling instrumentsin groups of stations, the circuits of the signaling instruments of eachgroup of stations being controlled by the relay or relays of thecorresponding conductor, 5, 6, or 7.

- 8. The combination of a plurality of se lector-lines, a plurality ofconductors having relays to control the circuits of said selectorlines,and a conductor having a relay or relays to control the circuits of saidplurality of conductors, with a plurality of switches associated withthe last-mentioned conductor, groups of said switches being associatedwith each conductor of said plurality of conductors, and a switch ofeach group being associated with a selector-line.

9. The combination of a plurality of selector-lines, a plurality ofconductors having relays to control the circuits of said selectorlines,and a set of conductors having relays to control the circuits of saidplurality of conductors, with a plurality of switches, groups of whichare associated with each conductor of said set of conductors, groups ofswitches that are associated with each conductor of a set beingassociated with the same conductor of said plurality of conductors, anda switch in each of the last-named groups being associated with aselector-line.

CHAS. B. SMITH.

Witnesses:

T. F. BoURNE, F. E. TURNER.

